In November, the Fern Valley Water District Board of Directors unanimously approved an emergency pipeline replacement project on Rising Glen Road, Granite Springs, Shady View Drive and Sunset View Drive. The project is replacing about 2,000 feet of pipeline.
As of Tuesday, the pipeline should be in service by the end of next week, March 12. “Repaving of the streets will be done when weather permits to get a quality job,” General Manager Victor Jimenez said.
El-Co Contractors, Inc. is the company replacing the pipeline.
Jimenez wrote in the November staff report: “On Aug. 6, 2020, we placed the three new pressure reducing stations in service and realized that the water mains on Rising Glen [Road], Granite Springs, Sunset View [Drive] and Shady View were severely compromised and in need of replacement. We have experienced over 30 leaks and unfortunately, they continue to pop up.
“The board inquired as to the urgency of the need to replace the mains, but due to the unpredictability of the mains, it is very difficult to render an opinion. The mains could continue to suffer major leaks, or they could possibly hold tight; it is impossible to offer an accurate prediction. If I had to offer an opinion, I would recommend replacement as soon as possible.”
The project will cost the district about $571,000 by project completion. This includes paying for repaving the streets once the work is complete.
So far, the district has made one payment of $340,000, according to Jimenez. A property tax check from the county came in before making the payment, so the district did not have to go into reserves, as originally thought. Jimenez does anticipate that the district will go into reserves to cover the rest, but the reserves will not dip below $500,000.